Ground Control Points (GCPs) for Mangrove and Nipa Palm Classification in the Niger Delta

GCPs were established by collecting GPS coordinates of 6 land cover types (Mangrove Forests, Nipa palm, Inland forests, Surface water, Built regions and Agricultural land) over the Niger Delta. GCPs were collected over the entire Nigerian coastline. These classes were chosen in order to focus on the two focused areas: mangrove and nipa palm. The other classes gave a general overview of other landcover types in the region. Three field campaigns were conducted in March 2016, between October 2016 to January 2017; and from June 2017 to September 2017, across the East-West Highway (which connects the entire coastal state); during surveys on a boat, and during sample collection. Areas of interest during GCP selection were Islands off the Calabar estuary and along the Imo river estuary were a clear transition of nipa palm, to mangrove species, then to agricultural lands or rainforests were present. Another essential region was creeks in Rivers State where settlements were surrounded by a transition of mangrove forests and rainforests. Despite not having GCPs in 2007, Google Earth Pro software located the GCPs collected during my field campaign and estimated the land cover classes they were in 2007. GCPs with obstructed by cloud cover in 2007 imagery were removed in 2007